Non‐apoptotic caspase activation ensures the homeostasis of ovarian somatic stem cells

Abstract

Current evidence has associated caspase activation with the regulation of basic cellular functions without causing apoptosis. Malfunction of non‐apoptotic caspase activities may contribute to specific neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, autoimmune conditions and cancers. However, our understanding of non‐apoptotic caspase functions remains limited. Here, we show that non‐apoptotic caspase activation prevents the intracellular accumulation of the Patched receptor in autophagosomes and the subsequent Patched‐dependent induction of autophagy in Drosophila follicular stem cells. These events ultimately sustain Hedgehog signalling and the physiological properties of ovarian somatic stem cells and their progeny under moderate thermal stress. Importantly, our key findings are partially conserved in ovarian somatic cells of human origin. These observations attribute to caspases a pro‐survival role under certain cellular conditions.

Juvenile Hormone as a contributing factor in establishing midgut microbiota for fecundity and fitness enhancement in adult female Aedes aegypti

“…Although PCD is conventionally associated with tissue size reduction, our results suggest that the level of PCD detected in the midgut may be a secondary outcome to the microbiota in the lumen, and our time course measurements suggest it is not sufficient to impact overall organ size in the conditions tested. Furthermore, the possibility of a non-apoptotic role of the caspase activation detected, as it has been described in some other tissues with the function of preserving tissue homeostasis 60 , 61 , has not been explored and could be possible.…”

Novel 8-Methoxycoumarin-3-Carboxamides with potent anticancer activity against liver cancer via targeting caspase-3/7 and β-tubulin polymerization

“…Caspases can be classified into three distinct categories [ 21 ]: initiator caspases (including caspase 2, 8, 9, and 10) [ 22 ], executioner caspases (comprising caspase 3, 6, and 7) [ 23 ], and inflammatory caspases (encompassing caspase 1, 4, 5, 11, and 12) [ 24 ]. These entities exhibit mutual activation and give rise to a series of biochemical events [ 25 ]. The process of cellular dismantling involves the cleavage of various structural and regulatory proteins by executioner caspases [ 26 ].…”